FTA to expedite $25 million in funding for NJ Transit continued recovery

U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) have worked with the Federal Transit Administration to expedite $25 million in funding to New Jersey Transit that will aid in the recovery from Superstorm Sandy.

The funding, from the Surface Transportation Program, would normally have taken up to 30 days to get to the state, but by fast tracking it, arrived in four.

"This federal funding will help New Jersey Transit get commuter trains running again as quickly as possible," said Lautenberg. "While New Jersey recovers from Superstorm Sandy, we are committed to providing our communities with the resources they need, but this is only the beginning. Our recovery will not be complete without rebuilding our transportation system and expanding rail service to prevent disruptions like this from happening again."

"The federal government remains committed to cutting any red tape necessary to speed our recovery and I am glad we could help in that effort," said Menendez. "NJ Transit is suffering from enormous new costs to restore service, while at the same time, seeing decreases in revenues, so this funding is critical in helping them get through this cash crunch."

NJ Transit has suffered damage to dozens of its locomotives and rail cars. In addition to substantial capital costs, the service is also expending record amounts of operating funds to get service restored and fund complementary service, such as additional temporary ferry service into Manhattan.